“He would be the first to say having moved from Fremantle where they play a very different game, to having to shift to where he positions himself and reads the play at Collingwood, it was a lot different to Fremantle.

“Sometimes it might be half a season players take to understand and read the play compared to the team they came from.

“Mayney had to play a particular role at Fremantle and we want him to play a very different role.”

Pert said Buckley, as a member of the list management group, had ticked off on the recruitment of Mayne despite speculation to the contrary.

“We have a list management group and every single player being viewed who leaves or is brought into the club, that is unanimously decided by that group,” Pert said.

Pert said finals remained the expectation of the Pies after three years out of September action.

Camera IconDaniel Wells is likely to make his debut for Collingwood on Anzac Day. Picture: David CroslingPicture: News Corp Australia

“From a Collingwood perspective, we hear the noise in the media,’’ he said. “We do believe we have got a style of footy and a list and program we believe can allow us to achieve our ambitions this year, which is to get back to the finals.

“I haven’t seen anything in the pre-season or first three games that says that’s not realistic.”

The Pies said captain Scott Pendlebury was not injured despite spending 14 minutes on the bench in the third quarter.

Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling said it was poorly timed.

“I can’t believe he’s sat 14 minutes on the bench in the third quarter in a game that was there to be won,” he said.

“That is unbelievable. The bloke’s a star. Get him on the ground. You’ve got to have your captain and your superstar on the ground ... unless he is injured.’’